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Show LITERATURE ABSTRACTS 211 Interferon-Associated Retinopathy. Guyer DR, Tiedeman J, Yannuzzi LA, Slakter JS, Parke 0, Kelley J, Tang RA, Marmor M, Abrams G, Miller JW, Gragoudas ES. Arch OphthalmoI1993;111:350-6 (Mar). [Reprint requests to Dr. D. R. Guyer, Retinal Research Laboratory, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, 210 East 64 Street, New York, NY 10021.] Ten patients treated with interferon for a variety of conditions (various cancers as well as choroidal neovascularization) developed a retinopathy that consisted of cotton wool spots, hemorrhages, and other vascular abnormalities. The retinopathy resolved upon cessation of the interferon therapy, and in most cases vision was restored. Lyn A. Sedwick, M.D. Recovery from Severe Visual Loss in Optic Neuritis. Beck RW, Cleary PA, Optic Neuritis Study Group. Arch OphthalmoI1993;111:300 (Mar). [No reprint information given.] Dr. Beck gives a quick comparison of the groups from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial receiving intravenous corticosteroid versus no steroid to assist clinicians who are trying to decide whether or not to treat patients with optic neuritis. Although "full recovery" (greater than 20/16 visual acuity) was achieved in treated patients more often than untreated (15.2% in placebo versus 33.3% in treated), treatment did not reduce the number of poor outcomes (less than 20/40 visual acuity). Lyn A. Sedwick, M.D. Save the Optic Nerve. Kwitko GM. In Reply. Aiello AL, Sadun AA, Feldon S. Arch Ophthalmol 1993;111:300-1 (Mar). [No reprint information given.] Dr. Kwitko argues in this letter to the editor that optic nerve sheath fenestration might have given two patients previously reported in the Archives with progressive anterior ischemic neur?pathy and spontaneous recovery an even better fmal VIsual field. The authors who reported the cases argue that this seems unlikely based on Dr. ~ergott's Original series of patients so treated, WhICh suggested that visual acuity more than visual field re-covery was enhanced with optic nerve sheath fenestration. Dr. Aiello and colleagues go on to endorse the Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Treatment Trial, which will attempt to answer the question of whether or not optic nerve sheath decompression does truly assist these patients to better recovery than would occur spontaneously. Lyn A. Sedwick, M.D. Color Doppler Velocimetry of the Optic Nerve Head in Arterial Occlusion. Williamson TH, Baxter GM, Dutton GN. Ophthalmology 1993;100:312-7 (Mar). [Reprint requests to Dr. T. H. Williamson, FRCS, Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK G116NT.] Seven patients with central retinal artery occlusion and seven with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy were studied with color Doppler. Lyn A. Sedwick, M.D. Optic Nerve Sheath Decompression May Improve Blood Flow in Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Flaharty PM, Sergott RC, Lieb W, Bosley TM, Savino PJ. Discussion. Hayreh SS, Beach KW. Ophthalmology 1993;100:297-305 (Mar). [Reprint requests to Dr. P. M. Flaharty, Eye Centers of florida, 4101 Evans Avenue, Ft. Myers, FL 33901.] The authors studied 25 patients with progressive nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with color Doppler pre- and postoptic nerve sheath decompression and compared their results to the contralateral eye's findings as well. Postoperatively, there was an increase in blood flow velocity in the central retinal artery and ophthalmic artery. They suggest that "optic nerve sheath decompression may improve blood flow to the ischemic optic nerve, halting the progression of visual loss and, in some cases, improving visual function." Drs. Hayreh and Beach offer a rebuttal-type discussion immediately following the article as to why some of their technological and theoretical assumptions about color Doppler and ischemic optic neuropathy may be unfounded scientifically. Lyn A. Sedwick, M.D. JClin Neuro-ophthalmol. Vol, 13. No, 3. 1993 |